Norco 80

Latest Episodes:

A Conversation About Survivalism Mar 01, 2021

Dr. Casey Kelly discusses survivalism's enduring allure, from pioneer days to prepper conventions.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 8: Danger Signs Feb 22, 2021

The Norco Bank Robbery happened over 40 years ago, but its legend continues influence how police officers are trained today. Thanks to one very popular VHS tape.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 7: George Smith Feb 15, 2021

George Smith speaks to us in his first-ever recorded interview, from a correctional facility in Corcoran, California.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 6: The Trial Feb 08, 2021

The “Norco 3” face the death penalty in one of the highest profile trials in Riverside County history.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 5: Big Guns Feb 01, 2021

After the chase finally ends, a shell-shocked police force demands bigger, more powerful weapons.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 4: The Final Chase Jan 25, 2021

The robbers lead police on a winding chase that ends in a devastating standoff at the top of a mountain.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 3: The Robbers Jan 18, 2021

George Smith didn't set out to rob a bank. He just wanted to survive the apocalypse.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 2: The Firefight Jan 11, 2021

The bank robbers make it out of the Security Pacific Bank, cash in hand––but they’re immediately met by the police and a firefight begins.

Norco ‘80 is produced by LAist Studios in collaboration with Futuro Studios.

*Editor’s note:
For clarification, Deputy Sheriff Andrew Delgado-Monti carried both a revolver and a shotgun during the firefight outside the Security Pacific Bank, which was standard for the Riverside Sheriff’s Office at the time.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Chapter 1: The Robbery Jan 11, 2021

May 9th, 1980 began as a regular Friday in sleepy Norco, a small town about 48 miles east of Los Angeles, known mostly for its horse trails and old-western look. But around 3:30pm, five masked men with assault rifles robbed the Security Pacific Bank downtown.

Norco ‘80 is produced by LAist Studios in collaboration with Futuro Studios.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Trailer: Norco 80 Nov 12, 2020

In 1980, a devastating bank robbery shocked Southern California. It was carried out by masked men determined to outlive the apocalypse. But the robbery would quickly spin out of control, providing a cautionary tale of an America in the midst of an economic recession and serve as a complex conversation about the role of police forces in our communities. This is the story of Norco ‘80, a new podcast from LAist Studios.

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